Green finds his first hit 'kind of funny'

He knew he would get his first career hit eventually. But after starting his major league career 0 for 15 with six strikeouts for the Oakland Athletics, the questions about the pressure of getting a hit persisted.

"That was a question I got on a daily basis," Green said. "And finally getting that first one out of the way I don't have to hear it anymore."

Green, acquired by the Angels for Alberto Callaspo, picked up his first career hit in the Angels' 8-3 loss to the Texas Rangers on Tuesday. The Canyon High product singled to center in the second inning, snapping the 0-for-15 stretch he had in Oakland. Green also picked up a second hit to start his Angels career 2 for 4.

"He had really good at-bats all night last night and that was good to see," Manager Mike Scioscia said.

Green was called up from Triple-A Salt Lake after Howie Kendrick was injured in Monday's game. Kendrick is still listed as day-to-day because of a sprained left knee.

Green's first career hit did not come without a teammate playing a prank on the rookie. When the ball Green got the hit with was thrown into the dugout, Angels first baseman Albert Pujols caught it and tossed a ball into the stands. But he swapped the balls, hanging onto the special one for Green and trying to trick him at the same time.

Green said he knew that Pujols was simply playing a practical joke on him.

"From what I've heard he's a jokester and whatnot," Green said. "It was more of praying he didn't throw it in there. ... And afterward he said he was just joking around."

He got the ball and the Angels currently have it. They will print a commemorative message on it signifying the ball as his first career hit.

When Green first reached the majors in Oakland, he played only against left-handed pitching, and the lack of consistent playing time was difficult to adjust to, he said.

So while his first hit came in his 16th career at-bat, it was his first at-bat against a righty. Not just any righty — major league strikeout leader Yu Darvish.

"I thought that was kind of funny," Green said. "I'll look back and be like — I couldn't get a hit off of those guys, but Yu Darvish is a good one to get it off of."